Henrico Planning Commission endorses several projects, approves others
Table of Contents
The Henrico Planning Commission last week endorsed several development projects and approved final plans for several others.
The commission also opted to hold a public discussion of a zoning ordinance amendment about solar arrays as part of its March 10 meeting.
During its Feb. 10 meeting, the commission expedited approval for One Pouncey, a mixed-use community in Short Pump at the southeast intersection of Pouncey Tract Road and Twin Hickory Lake Drive (where it becomes Liesfeld Farm Drive) by approving a provisional use permit for it. The development previously had earned rezoning approval from the county’s board of supervisors.
The commission also endorsed a proposal by Eagle Construction to rezone land on the south line of Mill Road just east of its intersection with Wyatt Farm Drive from agricultural use to allow construction of up to 11 single-family dwellings. There are already two subdivisions bordering the land, and Eagle agreed to limit direct access to Mill Road. Most of the discussion focused on neighboring owners’ concerns about drainage and the preservation of a wetland located on the property. An Eagle representative assured the commission that the plan would leave the wetland undisturbed and that all rainwater would drain through to a nearby inlet without affecting neighboring land.
Commissioners endorsed a proposal by Godsey Properties Inc. for a residential development of single-family dwellings and condominiums on the east line of Old Memorial Drive and its intersection with Betner Road in Eastern Henrico. Residential development is unusual for the light industrially zoned area, but one commission member noted that similar development has been approved to the west. Another expressed excitement that some of the homes would be built by vocational students.
Godsey Properties also agreed to leave a space in the development for extension of road access to the south if and when the neighboring property owner allows it.
The commission’s final rezoning endorsement was for a development proposal from Oliver Investments Fund with 34 townhouses and townhouse-style apartments, with amenities, at the southeast intersection of South Kalmia Avenue and East Beal Street in Highland Springs. While the plan proposed a higher density than the area is zoned for, the development will replace several ruined single-family homes, preserve the floodplain, and retain many of the existing residents in higher-quality homes, officials said. Traffic will exit onto East Beal Street.
Each of the three rezoning cases now will advance to the board of supervisors for final consideration.
At its meeting, the commission also approved three other provisional use permits for county projects, including:
• construction of a wireless tower the southeast line of Cedar Fork Road, approximately 1,000 feet northeast of its intersection with Nine Mile Road;
• final plans for a mixed-use development on the east line of Dabney Road just north of its intersection with Westwood Avenue that will feature a five-story building with 345 apartments, a first-floor containing approximately 3,000 square feet of commercial space, and an associated parking garage;
• final plans for a multifamily residential development proposed by SKM LLC at the northwest intersection of West Broad Street and North Gayton Road that will contain as many as 102 condominium units as well as commercial uses, and will be designed to have a more “urban” feel with smaller setbacks from Old Three Chopt Road and West Broad Street, plus additional pedestrian connectivity.
Of the Dabney Road/Westwood Avenue development, planned by developer Spy Rock, one commission member noted that it would be the first step in transitioning the area to residential use, despite its current zoning for light industrial uses. Spy Rock amended its plan to allow easier emergency vehicle access to the rear of both this parcel and a neighboring parcel, addressing concerns a neighbor raised. The developer also agreed to limit the allowed commercial uses of the property despite the zoning for 24-hour use, which will keep the commercial and residential uses compatible.
